As far as how the county operates, it doesn't mean much as the government already conducts its business in English. Supporters said the ordinance is simple and that it promotes assimilation, but opponents said it's unnecessary and it sends a negative message.

"I think it's dreadful. It's not needed. We have a growing population of many languages, and it's nonsense," said Tracy Lee, a county resident.

"Common sense would dictate that we do things in one language, and if you're not happy with that, then you hire somebody on your own dime to translate," said Bob Kurland, a county resident.

After hearing public comment, the five Republican commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to approve the ordinance.

Supporters said the only kind of "cents" that really matter are the kind that come out of tax dollars. Carroll County Commissioner Haven Shoemaker, R-District 2, came up with the proposal.

"For instance, some of the surrounding counties spend a substantial amount of money on translators," Shoemaker said. "By taking this action, we're saying we're not going to go down that path and incur those costs."

Shoemaker said it means all business at the local level will be done in English; all county forms will continue to be printed in English.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the minority population in Carroll County is about 7 percent, which prompted some residents to ask why it has become an issue at all.

"There are issues that have to be dealt with in Carroll County that are very pressing. This isn't one of them," said Dane Menges, a county resident.

"This is one of those actions that I thought we could take to be proactive," Shoemaker said.

Opponents said it's an action some say could send the wrong message to people working to learn English.

Shoemaker said 31 states have voted to make English the official language. In Maryland, Frederick and Queen Anne's counties have similar ordinances.

Daniel Norris took a three-hitter into the eighth inning in his Detroit debut, J.D. Martinez hit a three-run homer and the Tigers beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 on Sunday to earn a split of the four-game series.